Abstract: A jointed drive unit is provided having a power output shaft used for driving a socket or the like, and an input shaft which transmits power to the output shaft through a gearbox permitting any angular orientation between input and output shafts greater than about 20.degree.. The mechanism is more than merely a gearbox for transmitting rotational motion at an acute angle because due to the gear arrangement and a ratchet mechanism incorporated in the preferred embodiment the output shaft can be made to rotate, not only by rotating the input shaft, but also by pumping the input shaft in a plane parallel to the output shaft, or alternatively, moving the input shaft back and forth in a plane perpendicular to the output shaft in conventional open end or box end ratchet wrench fashion.

Abstract: A shed is provided principally for the storage of a unitary automobile and includes a frame bolted to the ground or a cement slab, and an overlying housing substantially conforming to the external shape of the vehicle, the housing being hinged to the frame and spring-loaded such that access to the vehicle is provided by lifting the entire housing clear of the stored automobile.

Abstract: The invention is a device for supporting a baby bottle in a position in which the baby is nursing in a reclined or seated position and comprises a soft strap passing around the back of the baby's neck connecting to a pair of arcuate support arms passing down against the baby's chest and up to a support ring through which the baby bottle passes, enabling the baby to nurse without his mother's presence.

Abstract: A teaching aid simplifies the understanding and practicing of the inversions of the major triads of the diatonic scale by utilizing a series of insert cards which slide into a simulated keyboard and read up vertically duplicate sets of the scale tones of the triad beginning with the underlying keyboard tone. In contrast with the usual method of inversion indication, wherein sequential indicia point out inversions on the keyboard itself, or on a horizontal scale, by reading up vertically rather than horizontally the student is able to easily see the inversion arrangement without confusing it with the keys that he is playing.

Abstract: A device for freeing an area of birds, insects, or other pests which simultaneously emits two separate audio frequencies which are shifted periodically. The device comprises two separate oscillators whose output signals are mixed together at the input of a power amplifier driving a loud speaker. The frequency of each oscillator can be independently adjusted. A resistive load is placed in the common power supply line of the two oscillators and is periodically shunted in order to shift the frequency of both oscillators. The periodical shunting of the load is accomplished by a SCR switch driven by a third oscillator having a very low frequency. The resulting dual frequency pulsating signal can be adjusted with wide ranges of frequencies in order to deter various types of animals from frequenting the area.

Abstract: An automatic shut-off valve is used at the inlet point of a fuel line carrying a gaseous or liquid fuel into a house or the like, the valve being adapted to terminate the flow of gas or liquid upon the experiencing of a shock or vibration by the valve as would be produced by an earthquake, with the valve head being so positioned to be actuated by a sudden surge of flow to shut the valve in the event a ruptured gas line causes a quick inordinately rapid gas or liquid flow in the system. The principle utilized to actuate the closing of the valve as a function of a certain minimum amplitude of vibration or shock is a ball weight which in normal use rests on a pedestal which in turn maintains the valve head away from the valve seat in the supply line, this ball being designed to topple from its supporting pedestal during an earthquake or other vibration, thus freeing the valve head to seat under spring tension such as to block the fluid flow.

Abstract: The invention is a bi-level fluid level sensor intended to be used in the bilges of boats with complementary equipment which activates emergency equipment such as warning devices and/or pumps when the upper level is reached, and deactivates such equipment when the lower level is reached. The sensor is uniquely constructed of three specially coatedwater repellent probe elements which are received in a socket which is in turn imbedded in a molded body of plastic or the like to absolutely seal the sensing unit against corrosion and mitigate against the accidental bridging of the probes by oil slicks and bilge slime.

Abstract: A piston engine is provided in which adjacent cylinder pairs share a common combustion chamber and the pistons are mounted to reciprocate substantially in phase, one of the pistons in each piston pair receiving a rich mixture which is ignited by a sparkplug in that cylinder, with the other cylinder in the cylinder pair being passive in its preferred form, and receiving through a separate intake valve either pure air or a leaner mixture into which the combusted richer mixture pours, insuring that the greatest combustion possible resulting in the greatest percentage of carbon dioxide formation as opposed to carbon monoxide is created.

Abstract: Means and method are provided for utilizing a piston and cylinder combination eliminating the usual sealing and oil rings and their accompanying friction and replacing them with ball bearings which in the principal embodiment are captured in splitring cages which are snapped into the existing grooves of the piston. Having thus lost the sealing ability of the piston, an accordion-type diaphram is utilized in the top of the cylinder to define the compression or combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus which is mountable to the two-barrel fuel mixture intake of an internal combustion engine, ordinarily eight cylinder, wherein the two intake barrels are covered with a special plenum which replaces the ordinary carburetor, this plenum having a central septum dividing it into two chambers, one of which communicates separately with each of the intake barrels, and each chamber mounting a separate carburetor with a separate fuel input, there being separately controlled valves in the fuel input lines of the two carburetors so that by cutting the fuel off to one carburetor, half of the cylinders become inoperative thus saving fuel. An opening is provided in the septum which is valved to open when it is desired to run all eight cylinders to insure pressure equalization in the intakes for all cylinders.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of musical learning and playing devices, and particularly relates to keyboard instruments. A plurality of cards are provided each of which defines a forward pocket and each of which spans an octave on the keyboard. These cards are positioned adjacent to one another across the breadth of the keyboard, and a second group of insert cards are inserted into the pockets defined by the first cards. These second cards may be one of several types, but in any event they display indicia which register with keys on the keyboard, and each of these cards also includes a laterally extended tab which engages the adjacent card by overlapping same so that the entire line of cards is stationary as a unit rather than being completely separate.

Abstract: A load bearing strap is provided designed primarily for use with a guitar having a pair of straps, one of which passes over the left shoulder and through a back bracket down around the right to engage the bottom of the guitar, and the other passing from the bracket up over the right shoulder so that the end of the left strap and the right strap meet in front of the user to engage the suspension peg positioned near the top of the guitar body.

Abstract: A circular mail singulator is provided having a continuous spiral baffle which is disposed immediately above a rotating annular table with a frictional top surface, there being a central cone for the delivery of envelopes into the inner convolution of the spiral and a linear conveyor tangential to the outermost convolution to receive envelopes delivered therefrom and, without interrupting the envelope speed, deliver the envelopes into a stamp cancelling machine.

Abstract: A removable clip for holding a slip of paper or the like identifying a person or object or describing the history or certain features of an object, the clip comprising a stationary portion having a planar projection and defining a deep bay, and a movable clamp attached to the stationary portion, there being a piece of tape or like adhesive coated sheet applied against the projection and extending into the bay so that the clip can be repeatedly adhered to and removed from the lapel of a suit, a shirt, a piece of equipment, or the like, without damaging the surface to which it is adhered and permitting the replacement of the adhesive sheet as the adhesive weakens so that the effectiveness of the clip is perpetual.

Abstract: The invention comprises a retrieving instrument featuring a snap-lock handle connected to one end of a flexible cable, the other end of which has a releasible gripping head which may be mechanically or electromagnetically operated, there being an actuation control mechanism which locks the jaw in either the gripping mode or the release mode until the control is changed. A viewing system utilizing newly developed fiber optic techniques is preferably incorporated into the structure.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus is provided which delivers cool, air conditioned air to a remote location as much as 100 feet away from the apparatus proper. The unit is powered by an air motor operable from an industrial compressed air tank, and an oil-less pump is driven by the air motor to elevate the pressure of fresh air adequately for remote delivery. Cooling of both the drive air and the respirable fresh air is provided by radiators, and a final cooling stage is incorporated as a heat exchanger which cools the fresh air from the spent drive air, the latter having reached a very low temperature due to the rapid expansion of the air as it passes through the air motor.

Abstract: The invention is a support which can be releasably attached to a table, or the like, and which extends across the table to support the forehead of a person who is leaning over the table engaged in work such as drafting, reading fine print or the like. The device is triply adjustable to conform to the position of the forehead and to swing out of the way when not in use.

Abstract: A simplified ski boot caddy is provided having an inverted U-shaped handle of molded plastic, or the like, which at the ends thereof articulates expanded tip catch elements which are selectively engaged in holes in a pair of flexible support straps so that the straps may be pivoted outwardly to engage the tops of the arch portions of ski boots. The straps are adjustable to accommodate boots of different size.